Canalys Sustainable Channels Initiative

What is the Canalys Sustainable Channels Initiative?

We believe that every individual and every organization can play a part in helping the planet toward a sustainable future, whether large or small. At Canalys, we aim to direct our efforts toward working with the technology channel community, an ecosystem we have partnered with for 25 years.

In 2022, we launched the Canalys Sustainable Channels Initiative with the following objectives:

To help drive adoption of sustainable practices in the channel.

To establish a network of sustainability-focused partners.

To promote the network’s achievements to the wider industry.

Assessing sustainable practices in the channel

As a starting point, any recognized technology partner can request to take our Alys Sustainable Channel Assessment. With this online tool, Canalys helps partners measure and assess their environmental, sustainability and governance performance. They can also get Canalys insights and tips to help their sustainability practices. Our ongoing research with the channel and technology vendors informs our syndicated analysis and custom project work. We examine vendors’ sustainable channel strategies, including assessing ongoing changes to partner programs and incentives, and regularly report on the key topics driving change in the channel community.

Recent examples of Canalys ESG research

Resource

Mar 21, 2022

The uncomfortable truth about sustainability

Sustainability is a growing focus for technology vendors and, increasingly, this focus can be seen in channel program strategies. But vendors’ channel strategies are frequently not aligned with their stated sustainability objectives in one important way: they do not allow, or encourage, partners to push sales of refurbished/recycled devices to their customers. What should vendors do to fully support partners in the circular economy and what are the implications for partners and vendors?

Blog

Jan 5, 2022

Sustainability in 2021: A look at what happened over the last 12 months

2021 saw organizations in the channel recover strongly and adapt their operations to the new normal defined by pandemic-induced disruptions. Sustainability has been a key area of discussion in 2021 as companies in the IT industry continue to map out long-term strategies. Channel partners will continue to play an essential role in the supply chain if they follow market trends driven by new customer requirements and vendor initiatives.

Blog

Jan 4, 2022

Sustainability in 2022

Coming into the new year, sustainability continues to be at the heart of future development opportunities. As more stringent regulations come into force, actors along the ICT supply chain will continue to pursue sustainability efforts to meet them.

Blog

Dec 16, 2021

The Eco Rating for smartphones is coming to Latin America

Smartphones are rated on their environmental impact, helping consumers make unbiased decisions and motivating vendors to focus on sustainability

Blog

Dec 10, 2021

Expert Hubs 2021: the circular economy in APAC

Sustainability was one of the key topics at the APAC Canalys Forums in November 2021. At the event, Canalys gathered various APAC partners and vendors to talk about the circular economy in the region.

Blog

Nov 17, 2021

Expert Hubs 2021: environmental KPIs

Blog

Oct 28, 2021

Expert Hubs 2021: the circular economy

Sustainability was a key theme of the Canalys Forum EMEA in October 2021. We covered topics such as the circular economy, environmental KPIs and energy. This blog summarizes the key points discussed about the circular economy.

Blog

Aug 17, 2021

The path to diversity and inclusion in the channel

There are polarized opinions on diversity and inclusion among channel partners

Blog

Jul 30, 2021

How can channel partners measure sustainability?

Our new Sustainability 360 Assessment tool brings help to the channel.

Resource

Jun 4, 2021

Driving sustainability through partner programs

Sustainability awareness continues to grow worldwide amid strong media advocacy, and pressure from governments and businesses. And major technology vendors are taking on a more active role in sustainability efforts as part of their global corporate citizenship and leadership efforts.

Resource

Apr 8, 2021

Partners must look to sustainability to boost their businesses

In the past decade, technology vendors have been increasing sustainability targets across environmental and social metrics. Technology channel partners, for the most part, have not. Many smaller IT partners don’t have the resources to design sustainability programs, or customers demanding sustainable practices. Meanwhile, technology companies have larger environmental footprints so the pressure to act is greater. But this situation is changing rapidly.

Our vendor clients can access Canalys research through our ongoing services in channels, partner programs and sustainable channels. Channel partners can join our Candefero partner community to access our information free of charge in return for their engagement with our short polls and surveys.

Which channel partners lead in sustainability?

Canalys Environmental Partner Leaders are those partners that have demonstrated both a strategy and a commitment to do better for their industry, people, community and environment. This badge recognizes those partners that are leading the industry in this regard. Canalys awards badges based on our ongoing research and analyzing responses and scores in our Alys Sustainable Channel Assessment.

Meet the Canalys 2022 environmental partner leaders

The awards will run again in 2023.

In their own words

“Atea achieved a Canalys Environmental Partner Leader award as a result of its focus and efforts on sustainability. It is successfully implementing ESG actions across its entire business and reducing its environmental impact.”

Andreas Antonsen

Director of Corporate ResponsibilityAtea

“Softcat is committed to delivering a Net Zero Supply chain by 2040. We believe everyone has a part to play, we recognize it cannot be solved alone, but together we can drive change and a sustainable future. We call on everyone to come together, play their part and create a better outlook for future generations.”